cultural aspects

Dr. Daniela Martinek

Themenzentrierter Fremdsprachenunterricht

Cultural aspects


Culture is...

a way of lifea set of social practices a system of believesshared history or a set of experiences


Why bother with culture?

to help children to become more aware of the world around themto help them to better interact with that worldit is a fundamental feature of language & an integral part of language learningmany linguistic & sociocultural errors happen because people don‘t know the different meanings


Intercultural learning

process of becoming more aware of and better understanding one‘s own culture and other cultures around the world

increase international and cross-cultural tolerance & understanding


Intercultural awareness skillsobserving, identifying & recognisingcomparing & contrastingnegotiating meaningdealing with or tolerating ambiguityeffectively interpreting messages (& limiting the possibility of misinterpretation)defending one‘s own point of view while acknowledging the legitimacy of othersaccepting difference


Activity: American cultural aspects

Work in groups. Take an envelope and try to match the names of the days with their description and decide when the Amercians celebrate these days.


Amercian festivalsJanuaryNew Year’s Day – January 1

Everyone is off work and school on this national holiday to ring in the new year.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday – third Monday in JanuaryThis is a national holiday where everyone is off work and school to celebrate the birthday of the great civil rights activist, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.


FebruaryValentine’s Day – February 14 This holiday, named after St. Valentine, is characterized

by exchanging Valentine cards, hearts, roses, and other symbols of love. Americans are not off work, but school children usually have a party at school to celebrate the holiday.

President’s Day – This national holiday, where children are off school but people are not off work, honors all the past presidents of the United States of America.

MarchSt. Patrick’s Day – March 17

This Irish holiday is celebrated in America as well. Everyone must wear green or they risk the chance of being pinched.


March/AprilEaster - March or April

Easter is the happiest celebrations of the Christian year. People remember that Jesus triumphed over death, bringing new life to all who follow him. The word Easter comes from “Eastre” – the goddess of light and spring. Eggs are an important part of Easter as they symbolize new life. Today the Easter Bunny hides hard boiled, decorated eggs for the children to find. The children put the eggs in their Easter Baskets, along with chocolate bunnies.

Easter calendar:Mardi Gras is the day before Lent. The biggest Mardi Gras party

in America is held in New Orleans, Louisiana. Ash Wednesday is the official start of Lent.Good Friday is the day Jesus was crucified.Palm Sunday reminds Christians how Jesus rode into Jerusalem

on a donkey and how he was welcomed by people waving palm branches.

Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection. Easter Monday is also a national holiday where everyone is off

work since the real Easter holiday falls on a weekend.


April Fool’s Day – April 1As in other countries, this day (not a national holiday where people are off work or school) encourages people to try to trick others.

Earth Day – April 22Americans celebrate and appreciate Mother Earth on this day. Many people plant trees or do a special recycling project on Earth Day.

MayMother’s Day – second Sunday in May

As in many countries, Americans honor their mothers on a special day in May.

Memorial Day – last Monday in MayMemorial Day is a national holiday where everyone is off work and school. On this day, Americans remember those who have died in their nation’s service (ie. Soldiers). Many Americans gather with friends and family and have a barbeque on this day. It is also considered the kick-off to summer for many people.


JuneFather’s Day – third Sunday in June

As in many countries, fathers are honored with a special day.

JulyIndependence Day – July 4

On July 4th, America celebrates its independence. The first Independence Day was celebrated in 1776, when the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence. This document declared America’s separation from Britain. Americans celebrate with fireworks and a proud displaying of the flag.

SeptemberLabor Day – first Monday in September

Labor Day was first celebrated in 1882. It was a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. On this day, Americans remember and honor the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of their country. Like Memorial Day, most Americans gather for a barbeque and an end-of-the-summer party.


OctoberColumbus Day – second Monday in October

On this day when children may be off school but adults are not off work, Americans celebrate Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the New World on October 12, 1492.

Halloween – October 31The origins of this much loved holiday are Pagan and date from the Celts in Great Britain and Ireland. Today, children dress up in costumes (the costumes do not have to be scary!) and Trick-or-Treat at neighbor’s houses to collect candy. People also carve Jack-O’Lanterns from pumpkins. Ghosts, witches, pumpkins, spiders, and other scary things are typical symbols of Halloween.


NovemberElection Day – first Tuesday on or after November 2

It is on this day that Americans vote on important legislative issues and executive offices, such as the president of the United States of America. The national presidential race is held once every four years, but Americans vote on important matters on this day every year. It is traditionally held on the first Tuesday on or after November 2. A Tuesday was chosen so that people who had to travel a far distance to the county seat to vote could start their journey on Monday, instead of Sunday, so as not to interrupt church services. Furthermore, the government did not want Election Day to fall on the Catholic holiday of All Saints’ Day (November 1) either.


Thanksgiving – fourth Thursday in NovemberThe first Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Native Americans (Indians). In thanksgiving of the Native Americans’ showing the Pilgrims how to have a successful harvest, they celebrated with a feast. Today, Americans are off work and school for this holiday. They gather with family, give thanks, and celebrate with a feast. Turkey is the traditional main dish of Thanksgiving, and pumpkin pie is the traditional dessert.


DecemberChristmas – December 25

This national holiday is a day off work and school for everyone. Families gather for a meal and exchanging of gifts. Santa Claus comes down the chimney during the evening of December 24, so that when the children wake up on the morning of the 25th, they have presents from him underneath their Christmas trees and in their stockings. Candy canes are a traditional candy for Christmas.

cultural aspects

Education

independence day

special day

memorial day

day jesus

earth day

labor day

presidents day

mothers day